PC Leadership hopeful Jim Prentice says infrastructure for Wood Buffalo is a major concern, adding the success of Alberta’s economy depends on a strong base in Fort McMurray.

Prentice, who is currently favoured to be the party’s next leader, made his comments during several community events over the weekend during a trip to Fort McMurray, and promised to make the delivery of Willow Square to the municipality a top priority.

“I will talk with the prime minister and if I’m successful as premier, it’ll be on the agenda list and we’ll get it out of the bureaucratic grey area that it’s currently mired in,” he said, adding the construction of a long-term care facility at Parsons Creek was also overdue.

“The provincial government has a role to play in making sure land is available and brought on stream for development in Fort McMurray,” said Prentice. “Fort McMurray is a model community. It’s the economic engine of Canada.”

While the need for infrastructure is pressing, he said delays in approving major pipeline projects has temporarily slowed down growth, buying the province time.

“I don’t think the growth pressures are extreme right now,” said Prentice. “Until we get a line of sight on pipelines to the west coast, you’re not going to see many significant multi-billion investments in the oilsands,” he said.

Prentice began his visit with a meet-and-greet at MacDonald Island Park, where he spoke to more than 50 people about the need for community services, especially senior services and new schools, as well as pipeline infrastructure.

Fort McMurray MLAs Don Scott and Mike Allen were in attendance, as was Mayor Melissa Blake and councillor Phil Meagher.

Prentice met Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP David Yurdiga later that night at Keyano College, where he attended celebrations for Pakistan’s Independence Day.

When asked about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Prentice argued the federal government’s recent changes were bad for Alberta, and Canada needed a new immigration program.

“The Temporary Foreign Worker amendments the federal government has made are not going to work,” he said. “I don’t say that to be argumentative, I say that because everyone in this community and in Alberta feels they will be disastrous.”

Prentice than said he plans to meet with the Prime Minister on amending the TFW program and Canada’s immigration program. He wants to see an approach to immigration in Alberta modeled after Quebec and Manitoba. Those provinces can set the number for how many immigrants can enter.

“We need to sit down and work constructively and arrive at a solution that encompasses foreign workers and increased immigration nominees, and encompasses some discussions how we will get people from other parts of Canada to Fort McMurray to take jobs,” he said. “It’ll be a broad labour agreement modelled after what’s been achieved in Canada by Quebec and Manitoba.”

This model was also championed by PC leadership rival Thomas Lukaszuk during his July visit to Fort McMurray.

Prentice is currently endorsed by the majority of the PC caucus, including Fort McMurray-Conklin MLA Don Scott. Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Mike Allen has chosen to stay neutral in the race and has not officially endorsed any candidate. However, he is supporting Lukaszuk and Ric McIver in their leadership bids.